Everyone knew the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL would be more expensive than the outgoing, decade-old Wrangler JK. A $1,000 to $2,000 increase in price sounded reasonable for all the improvements made. Well, it seems FCA figures it can charge exorbitantly more for the new Wrangler - $10,000 more on the luxury-minded Sahara trim, to be exact.

The news comes from none other than JLWranglerforums.com, the seemingly official leaker of all things JL over the least two years. A user posted a spied Monroney window sticker showing a base price of $45,000 for an Unlimited Sahara equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and manual transmission.

Now, there are a few caveats to this information. The pricing might not be completely finalized, so there’s a chance the price is inaccurate. Also, the options list only shows Jeeps RPO codes with no breakdown in pricing for each item. There’s a chance the options’ pricing is somehow including in the “base price” of $45,000. If so, that would make the true, pre-options base price far less. Jeep is apparently keeping its $1,095 destination charge from before.

Of course, the base Sport trim will be significantly less expensive than the leather-lined Sahara, especially in two-door form, so modest Jeepers should still be able to find a good deal. The Rubicon, however, will be more expensive than the Sahara thanks to its extra off-road hardware. This tiered system has been around for a while, so that’s old news. What is news is Jeep’s potential of pricing itself out of the active lifestyle, off-roading, and consumer base that made the Wrangler JK so popular.

Everyone knows Jeep Wranglers are extremely customizable and a vast majority of Jeep owners have done at least one upgrade or added some type of aftermarket part to their Wrangler. Jeep knows this and has really ramped up its offerings for the all-new 2018 model. The parts are hosted under the relatively new Jeep Performance Parts and the iconic Mopar brands. They will be available directly through local Jeep dealerships once the 2018 Wrangler reaches showrooms.

In an effort to demonstrate the vastness of Mopar and JPP’s parts lineup, Jeep brought two highly customized 2018 Wranglers to the L.A. Auto Show, debuting along size the production Wrangler. The four-door model is an all-out off-roader based on the Rubicon, while the two-door is a bit milder and based on the Sport. Both show the range of possibilities owners will have.

Continue reading for a detailed look at both Mopar-modified Wranglers.

Amid the excitement at Jeep’s debut of its all-new 2018 Wrangler, Jeep boss Mike Manley announced the SUV will come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2020. That’s huge news for the Wrangler – both because of the departure from rugged simplicity and the expected fuel economy improvements possible with PHEV powertrains. This could make the Wrangler actually economical to drive.

Manley and the Jeep team have been tight-lipped about details, so there’s no official estimated fuel economy numbers, price, or even what engine the hybrid components would be paired with. However, one possibility is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and plug-in equipment used in the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Considering how FCA loves sharing components across its brands, this is a legitimate rumor. The Pacifica Hybrid boasts an impressive 84 MPGe combined fuel economy despite its 4,900-pound curb weight. The 2018 Wrangler could see even higher MPGe figures since it weighs several hundred pounds less. Jeep will likely work hard to eliminate parasitic losses in the 4WD drivetrain, as well.

Packaging of the hybrid battery pack will be the biggest challenge though. The Wrangler has very little extra space, so a smaller battery might be necessary. Jeep might have to constrict the PHEV model to the four-door Unlimited for this reason. Hopefully not, since a PHEV two-door Wrangler could achieve even better efficiency.

For those not wanting a plug-in hybrid Wrangler but like the idea of good fuel economy, Jeep will be launching the 2019 Wrangler Unlimited with the long-awaited 3.0-liter, EcoDiesel V-6. The revised engine now boasts 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque and is expected to get 30 mpg highway.

The all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL comes loaded with big updates – the most important of which happen under the steel and aluminum skin. The familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 returns mostly unchanged, but with an auto stop/start system. The big news, however, is the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the new eight-speed automatic, and the availability of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 in 2019. There’s also a new Auto4WD system available and strong Dana axles.

Staring with the 2.0-liter, it makes an impressive 270 horsepower and out-grunts the V-6 by 35 pound-feet of torque with a whopping 295 pound-feet. Some of that low-end twist comes via the new belt-starter-generator that helps turn the crankshaft at lower revs. Sadly, Jeep won’t let you pair the engine with the manual transmission. You can read our more detailed breakdown of the engine here.

As for the V-6, its specs remain unchanged at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It can be mated to either the new six-speed manual or the new ZF eight-speed automatic. For the 2019 model year, the well-loved 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 will finally make its appearance in the Wrangler, though only in the four-door model and with the eight-speed auto. Power is improved, too, at 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Expect this to be the fuel economy leader.

Three transfer cases are available: the standard Command-Trac, the Rubicon’s Rock-Trac, and the new Selec-Trac offered, which is optional on the Sahara trim. Unlike the other two, the Selec-Trac can operate as a full-time 4WD system. Just select “Auto4WD” and the T-case will automatically send power to the front wheels when traction out back becomes an issue. The Rubicon’s Rock-Trac T-case has its crawl ratio bumped from 73:1 to 84:1, making it even better at low-speed crawling.

Lastly, the new Dana axles are stronger than before despite their same names. The Sport and Sahara trims come with a new Dana 30 front and Dana 35 rear axle. Final drive ratios include 3.45 and the optional 3.73. The Rubicon get the new Dana 44 both front and rear and comes only with the beefy 4.10 ratio. The suspension remains familiar, though improvements were made. Both use multi-link arms and coil springs, though the rear axle’s shock absorbers are now mounted outboard of the fully boxed frame rails for better roll control in corners.
The wheelbase is also lengthened slightly for better on-road comfort and off-road stability.

The Jeep Wrangler is basically the embodiment of a sport utility vehicle. After all, it did invent the category way back in 1941. Today, most SUVs are truck-based family haulers that don’t mind big loads on their trailer hitches. Crossovers, on the other hand, are generally limited in their towing capacities, with a few notable exceptions The Wrangler is a different beast altogether. Despite its body-on-frame construction, its off-road-biased suspension and relatively small footprint leave it with a compromised tow rating compared to say a mid-size pickup like the Chevrolet Colorado. Still, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler provides adequate towing capabilities for most active users.

The two-door Wrangler can tow up to 2,000 pounds via its optional two-inch receiver hitch. That’s the case with both the standard 3.6-liter V-6 and the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The longer, four-door Wrangler Unlimited has an increased tow rating of 3,500 pounds thanks to a heavier curb weight and its longer wheelbase. Again, both engines will do the job. The same is true for the manual and automatic transmissions.

Sadly, we don’t expect the 2019 Wrangler Unlimited with its optional 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 to boast any towing increases, either. It all comes down to what the chassis and suspension will handle. Thankfully, the upcoming Jeep Scrambler pickup will have an improved tow rating rumored at 6,500 pounds.

Those new to the Jeep brand might gawk at a four-cylinder Wrangler, but the Jeep has a strong history with this cylinder count. In fact, the first Jeep, the 1941 Willys MB, came with a four-cylinder. Four-cylinders were offered through the years, with the most recent being in the 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ. In fact, the outgoing Wrangler JK is the only Wrangler/CJ not available with one. That makes the return of a four-cylinder sort of a retro move. Even the engine’s name (Hurricane) is a throwback to older days

The new engine shares nothing with the old Hurricane, of course. It’s a member of FCA’s Global Medium Engine family and is loosely related to Alfa Romeo’s 2.0-liter found in Giulia sedan and Stelvio crossover. In the Wrangler, the Hurricane makes an impressive 270 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at only 3,000 rpm. That torque number actually beats the output of the 3.6-liter V-6 by 35 pound-feet! Better still, the Hurricane makes its power lower in the rev range, likely making it a better choice for serious off-roading. Horsepower-wise, the Hurricane only gives up 15 ponies to the V-6.

The natural trade-off is fuel economy. Neither Jeep nor the EPA have announced official numbers, but expect to see upper 20s on the highway, lower 20s around town, and a combined mpg of around 25.

The Hurricane’s secret is its mild hybrid system. The engine uses a belt-starter-generator to help twist the engine’s crankshaft at lower revs. The system is also designed to provide better auto stop/start performance while also improving low-end throttle response before the turbo spools up.

Impressively, the turbo-four loses no ground in the towing department to the V-6. Jeep says the two-door Wrangler will tow 2,000 pounds and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited will lug 3,500 pounds – regardless of engine choice. Sadly for manual transmission fans, the Hurricane is only offered with the new eight-speed automatic.

The Hurricane will be available in all trim levels from the base Sport, to the luxury-minded Sahara, and even the rugged Rubicon. Pricing has not been announced, but the Hurricane will be an option over the standard 3.6-liter V-6.

Continue reading for detailed specs on the 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo-four.

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL can certainly be described as “all-new,” but the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is largely carry-over from the outgoing Wrangler JK. Still, it’s got a new fuel-saving feature: Auto Start/Stop. The system automatically turns the engine off when stopped at traffic lights or other similar driving scenarios. Like other start/stop systems, the engine restarts automatically when the brake pedal is released, giving the engine time to rev back to idle before the driver has time to press the throttle. The result is less overall fuel consumption.

As for the rest of the Pentastar, the engine retains its 60-degree V shape; its aluminum, deep-skirt block; aluminum alloy heads; its chain-driven, dual-overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder; its 11.3:1 compression ratio; and its multiport fuel injection. The horsepower and torque specs also remain unchanged at 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm.

The V-6 can be paired with both the six-speed manual transmission or the eight-speed automatic – both of which are new to the Wrangler for 2018. Towing remains the same, too. The Wrangler two-door can pull 2,000 pounds while the Wrangler Unlimited, the four-door model, will pull 3,500 pounds.

As for that all-important fuel economy, Jeep says the V-6 will get 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined with the automatic transmission and 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined with the manual gearbox. That’s a marked improvement over the 16/20 mpg with the manual-equipped JK and 16/21 mpg with the JK’s old five-speed automatic.

It’s been a long time coming, but the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL is finally here. It debuted in all of its two-door and four-door glory, sporting three different engines, two transmissions (including a new eight-speed auto,) fresh interior design with a new Uconnect infotainment system, body-on-frame design, and more than 75 available safety and security offerings. There’s already a host of performance parts from Mopar available and, with four different trims available (three for the two-door plus the Sahara trim on four-door models) there’s definitely an option for anyone with a hankering for a new off-road but road-capable machine.

According to Jeep, all models include a trail-rated badge due to the outstanding four-wheel drive system that includes a 2.72:1 crawl ratio on Sport and Sahara models, a 4LO ratio of 4:1 and locking differentials on Rubicon models, and the ability to ford up to 30-inches of water when properly equipped. Furthermore, the new JL Wrangler can haul as much as 3,500 pounds and can be had with 17-inch off-road wheels. Rubicon models get 33-inch tires as standard equipment while all models get a standard approach angle of 44 degrees, breakover angle of 27.8 degrees, departure angle of 37 degrees, and a minimum ground clearance of 10.9 inches.

When equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar, the Wrangler will offer 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The new 2.0-liter, hybridized, four-cylinder offers as much as 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and – for those of you who really want some serious torque – the new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 will deliver 260 horsepower and an astonishing 442 pound-feet of torque on demand. That new eight-speed auto offers up decent economy and simple stop-and-go driving and can be equipped on any model. Real Jeep fanatics will surely go for the three-pedal-and-six-gears standard offering with a revised shift pattern, shorter throws, and a 4.41 ratio for better efficiency, higher speeds, and quick acceleration. All told it’s not bad, but we’ll let you decide for yourself once we update our full review. Until then, you can check out the debut video below, and check out the important specs below along with the full press release at the bottom.

It’s hard to improve on an icon; people simply expect too much. Yet somehow, Jeep has accomplished the impossible with the all-new 2018 Wrangler JL. Every nut and bolt has been improved for better on-road comfort, off-road performance, and even fuel economy. Much of this is credited to the 200-pound weight reduction thanks to aluminum doors, hood, windshield frame, and tailgate. The diet combines with Jeep’s new hybridized 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo-four and an eight-speed automatic for the best fuel economy ever in a Wrangler. Even the familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 returns with fuel-sipping improvements. But those chasing the ultimate fuel efficiency will love the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 coming in 2019.

We’ve been speculating, reporting, and fantasizing about the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL for more than two years. Thankfully, the wait is finally over as Jeep will debut the new SUV at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show. For those not there in person, we’ve got a live stream video for your viewing pleasure. Tune in as Jeep brass give away all the details and talk about how the new Wrangler came to be.

After years of waiting and speculation, the all-new, 2018 Jeep Wrangler is finally here! The fourth generation of the iconic American off-roader, called JL, is here to replace the JK model after ten years of service. The new Wrangler is significantly lighter, boasts new technology, and gets its juice from new engines.

Design-wise, the new Wrangler features many changes, but Jeep opted to keep the SUV familiar, so the redesign is far from extreme on the outside. The shape and size of the previous model are still there, but the tiny details tell a different story. Up front, the Wrangler retains the round headlamps, but they are slightly larger and feature new LED tech. The seven-slat grille is also a carryover, but with taller and slightly wider vertical slats. Down below, there’s a beefier bumper with larger foglamps and chrome trim.

Unlike its predecessor, the JL comes with LED daytime running lights on the front wheel arches. The turn signals are still mounted at the corners, but they look more modern now. When viewed from the side, the JL is almost identical to the JK it replaces. Sure, there are slight changes in the side steps, the wheel arches, and the door handles but overall we’re looking at the same design. Around back, the Wrangler continues to sport a boxy design, but it now has larger LED taillights. The bumper and the tailgate have been redesigned as well. The new Wrangler is available in both two-door and four-door body styles. Jeep also offers hard-top, soft-top, and convertible top configurations, the latter with a number of removable roof panels.

Jeep is slowly debuting the all-new 2018 Wrangler bit by bit before its official debut at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show on November 29. The latest piece is a pair of photos showing the Wrangler’s brand new interior – and boy; the improvements are awesome. Not one screw or plastic bit carries over from the outgoing Wrangler JK. That’s definitely a good thing. The new Wrangler JL is vastly more technologically advanced and fitted with way more creature comforts.

Though we’ve seen teases of the new interior before, this is the first time Jeep has shown the full monty. Both shots are of the same loaded-out Rubicon model, which gives us the complete scope of what’s available. The model features the latest Uconnect system, a large driver information screen with digital auxiliary gauges, dual-zone climate control, the standard assortment of steering wheel controls, dash-mounted window switches, a bank of four auxiliary switches for aftermarket components, and a toggle switch to control the Rubicon’s front and rear locking differentials. A separate button controls the disconnecting from sway bar.

There is plenty more to look at, so keep reading for more information.

The wait is finally over! Jeep has released photos of the next-generation Wrangler. Unfortunately, Jeep only dropped three photos with zero information, but the soft debut confirms much of the speculation, rumors, and spy shots we’ve been pouring over the last year. Yes, the 2018 Wrangler JL’s windshield folds down. Yes, the doors come off. And Yes, the top is removable. Yet beyond these carryover features that have come to define the Wrangler, this new Jeep is heavily updated in all the right ways.

Every square inch of the Wrangler has been reworked; from the new grille to the new taillights, the Wrangler JL is wholly different from the outgoing Wrangler JK. The four-door Sahara model wears a new bumper design with chrome around the fog lights, the new LED headlights, and those fender-mounted daytime running lights and turn signals. The front fender has that much-debated heat extractor. The two-door Rubicon comes with a vented hood, too. The doors now have a strong beltline under the windows, as well.
Overall, the Jeep’s exterior is completely new, yet still instantly recognizable.